Persuasive Essay Marijuana

The debate on the legalization of marijuana has been one of the many controversial discussions within the U.S. legal system. However, Marijuana is known to have numerous medicinal benefits and may even be the drug that can save California’s economy. In the past year, many medicinal benefits of marijuana have been discovered. Two scientists from the California Pacific Medical Center “found that a compound derived from marijuana could stop metastasis in many kinds of aggressive cancer” (Wilkey). One of the scientists discovered Cannabidiol, found in marijuana, also works with other types of aggressive cancers that have high levels of ID-1 present. Cannabidiol is also used to help with anxiety and nausea. Marijuana, which can also be used to help all fight obesity related diseases, contains an ingredient called THCV, and when this substance and Cannabidiol is introduced into a person’s system, it can help suppress hunger. Also, “tests in mice show the compounds boost the animal’s metabolism, [which led] to lower levels of fat in the livers and reduced cholesterol in the blood stream. THCV also increase[d] the animal’s sensitivity to insulin” (Gray). Other than for its medicinal purposes, this drug can help save this California’s economy. Tom “Ammiano introduced legislation that would legalize pot and allow the state to regulate and tax its sale — a move that could mean billions of dollars for the cash-strapped state. Pot is, after all, California 's biggest cash crop, responsible for $14 billion a year in sales. The state 's tax collectors estimate the bill would bring in about $1.3 billion a year” (Stateman). Many officials were in favor of this bill due to the fact that marijuana is already sold in the streets and by making this available to all, the state and federal government could gain some profit from it. Many people are hesitant to allow this drug to be legalized because they fear that society will become corrupt and inept. However, those who worry

Cited: Gray, Richard. "Cannabis Could Be Used to Treat Obesity-related Diseases." The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, 8 July 2012. Web. 15 June 2013. <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/9383640/Cannabis-could-be-used-to-treat-obesity-related-diseases.html>. Stateman, Alison. "Can Marijuana Help Rescue California 's Economy?" Time U.S. Time Inc., 13 Mar. 2009. Web. 15 June 2013. <http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1884956,00.html>. Wilkey, Robin. "Marijuana And Cancer: Scientists Find Cannabis Compound Stops Metastasis In Aggressive Cancers." Huffington Post: San Francisco. TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc., 19 Sept. 2012. Web. 15 June 2013. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/19/marijuana-and-cancer_n_1898208.html?icid=maing-grid7|maing6|dl2|sec3_lnk1&pLid=207938>.